Fred Degresac

Frédérique Rosine de Grésac was born at Lamalou-les-Bains, in the south of France. (Dates of her birth range in sources, from 1866 to 1879.) She used the name "Fred de Gresac" professionally because, as she explained to a newspaper reporter, "I rather think the public likes its plays written by men." In 1917, theatre critic Alan Dale wrote that "The most brilliant feminine playwright I have ever met is the lady who signs herself 'Fred de Gresac'." She wrote more than 100 plays and screenplays, including the musical comedies The Enchantress (1911, with Harry B. Smith), The Wedding Trip (1911, with Harry B. Smith and Reginald de Koven), Sweethearts (1913, with Harry B. Smith, Robert B. Smith and Victor Herbert), and Orange Blossoms (1922, with B.G. DeSylva and Victor Herbert).  Fred de Gresac was married to opera singer Victor Maurel. She was widowed when he died in 1923. Fred de Gresac died in Los Angeles in 1943, probably in her eighties.